It is recommended that the treatment of big toe fungus, even in mild cases of the disease, be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.This recommendation is based on the fact that therapy for onychomycosis (this is the medical name of this disease) depends on the stage of the fungal process and the type of pathogen.
When self-medicating, it is difficult to independently determine the severity of the pathology and evaluate the results of treatment.
Thumb characteristics
Dermatologists consider that eliminating fungus on the nail of the big toe is more difficult than on other fingers of the lower limb.This is due to the fact that it is large in size and has a large nail bed.
Due to the structural features of finger injuries, they are distinguished by the following features:
- large affected area (large nail);
- high risk of fungal spores entering the bloodstream (more abundant blood supply).
These distinctive features increase the duration of the treatment process.Dermatologists point out that when several fingers are affected by onychomycosis, the greatest difficulty is to eliminate the lesions on the thumb.
Stages of fungal infection.
The doctor's recommendation on how to cure toenail fungus will depend on the stage of the disease:
- First.The patient does not experience unpleasant sensations;Barely noticeable stripes or spots appear on the nail plate.The toenail looks healthy and a slight change in color is perceived as a cosmetic defect and not the first symptoms of a fungal infection.Detection of the infection during this period allows the nail lesion to heal quickly.
- Second.The development of fungus on the thumbnail causes minor discomfort to a person.The main symptoms at this stage: unpleasant odor on the feet and changes in the nail plate.The nail turns yellowish and loses shine.Itching and discomfort only bother when wearing tight or closed shoes.Cure is possible with external use of antifungal agents;Antifungal tablets are prescribed only if a person has a severely weakened immune system.
- Third.It is considered an advanced form of pathology, in which deep damage occurs to the nail plate.When it occurs, other toes are affected and the skin on the feet can become infected.The patient is concerned about itching and severe deformation of the nail plate, which thickens and loosens.At this time, the sick person is most dangerous to others due to the fact that particles of the nail plate with the fungal spores contained in it are shed.At this stage of the disease, nail fungus on the big toe can only be cured with the help of complex therapy (combined use of antifungal tablets and external treatment of the affected areas).
A dermatologist can advise you how to get rid of the fungus, taking into account the symptoms and signs of the severity of the infection.
Self-medication errors
A fungus has appeared on the nails of the big toe, treatment is constantly carried out, but there is no result.This can be heard in some patients who were treated independently with the help of antifungal agents purchased in the pharmacy.
As a rule, patients begin to blame drug manufacturers for failures, but in reality the main reason why the fungus is not cured is the patient's mistakes:
- Incorrect determination of the degree of pathology..If for the first stage it is enough to use medicated varnishes and treatment with nonspecific antiseptics (iodine, hydrogen peroxide), then specific therapy is necessary for severe injuries.Due to inexperience, a person may be limited to using only external medications when it is necessary to take pills.
- Incorrect evaluation of the treatment process..There are many causative agents of fungal infections and most drugs for external use have a wide spectrum of action.But the remedy for the fungus is not universal and may be ineffective if onychomycosis has developed.The key to the effectiveness of therapy will be the timely replacement of the drug with a drug from another group, but most people do not take this into account and continue to use purchased ointments or sprays in vain.
- Irregularity of therapy..To cure nail fungus on the big toe, the treatment must be carried out daily.Regular removal of nail plate detachments and the use of medications will prevent the progression of onychomycosis and help destroy fungal spores.Skipping external treatment alters the inhibition of fungal growth and slows down the healing process.
- Bad hygiene.The fungus on the big toe is dangerous not only for others, but also for the patient: the microspores of the pathogen remain on clothes and shoes.Wearing slippers barefoot or rarely changing socks promotes self-infection and negatively affects the treatment process.When carrying out antifungal therapy, it is necessary to constantly wear clean socks made of natural fabrics, even at home.
Important!
How to treat advanced toenail fungus in a particular case is determined individually, after laboratory methods have determined the type of pathogenic microorganism.
Medication Review
Preparations for toenail fungus are divided into the following groups depending on the form of release:
- varnishes;
- ointments and sprays;
- tablets;
- nail plate remover.
luck
Varnishes are sold in pharmacies without a prescription and are recommended for use not only in the treatment of the initial stage of the disease, but also for the prevention of onychomycosis.The drugs have an antiseptic effect and help soften the areas affected by the fungus.
The drugs act on certain groups of pathogens, destroying spores and suppressing the growth of fungal colonies.The varnish is applied to a clean nail plate and, after drying, is left for a long time.
Ointments and sprays
Products for external use are available without a prescription in pharmacies and their use rarely causes adverse reactions.Apply after cleaning and treating the nail to the affected surface and nearby skin.Lubrication of the affected areas is carried out 1-2 times a day and therapy can last from several months to a year (depending on the severity of the pathology).
Drugs have different effects in suppressing mycocolony growth, but all have good therapeutic characteristics.
tablets
Oral medications are used for advanced forms of the disease, when there is a risk of fungal spores entering the bloodstream.The medication is transported through the bloodstream throughout the body and helps eliminate damage to deep tissues.Taking pills is always prescribed in combination with the use of external agents.
It is not recommended to determine how to treat fungal infections of the extremities if it is necessary to take pills.If, when using drugs externally, an error in choosing a drug will only cause ineffectiveness of treatment, when taken internally, such an error will lead to the development of dysbiosis and further suppression of a weakened immune system.
In the question of what and how to treat, whether it is necessary to take pills, it is better to trust the doctor's competence.
Medicines are selected individually and take into account not only the symptoms of the disease, but also the presence of contraindications, as well as possible side effects.All drugs have an inhibitory effect on the development of fungal colonies and can be taken for a long time.
Nail remover
In case of severe damage to the nail plate, it must be removed for treatment success.But removing a nail from the nail bed is always painful and can lead to disability.If there are no special instructions, it is recommended to remove the nail in a less traumatic way, using softening agents.
The most popular are:
- A product that is applied to the affected areas at night and left overnight.In the morning you need to remove the compress, clean all the peeled plates and clean the surface with a cosmetic file.The procedure is repeated daily until the affected structures are completely removed.
- An antifungal patch is glued to a clean, flaking-free nail plate and left for 10 to 12 hours, and in the morning the nail is removed with nail scissors.For most patients, 1 session is enough to completely remove the nail, but in some cases several procedures may be necessary to achieve the effect.
In mild cases of fungal infections of the big toe, a properly selected medication is sufficient to treat, but in advanced pathologies, combined therapy is necessary (drugs are prescribed for internal and external use).
home remedies
The use of folk remedies as self-therapy has a good effect in the initial stages of the disease.
Non-medicinal means that you can use:
- Potato peels.Boil in plenty of water without cleaning salt.Drain the water and use it to steam your feet and mash the peels into a puree.After steaming your nails in the cleansing water, apply the puree to the affected areas for 15 to 20 minutes.After completing the procedure, rinse the pulp with warm water and put on clean socks.
- Coffee.Brew ground or instant coffee firmly with boiling water and cool to a moderately high temperature.Take a foot bath with coffee for 15 minutes, then rinse your feet and lubricate them with moisturizing cream.
- Garlic.Mix a pulp of 3-4 cloves of garlic with a tablespoon of alcohol.Apply the resulting mixture to gauze and use it as daily compresses.The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
- Kombucha.The pulp of the mushrooms is regularly rubbed into the areas affected by the fungus.
At an early stage of the disease, these available remedies will help to defeat the fungus, and in advanced forms of the pathology, it is recommended to use them as an adjunct to drug therapy.
Big toe nail fungus, due to the structure of the toe, takes a long time to treat.The doctor will help you choose the right therapy, but the success of the treatment depends on how regularly the patient performs the therapeutic procedures.